I smiled through this whole video. We had an old bug back during the gas crisis in the late 70's. My husband purchased it to drive back and forth to work. I only drove it ONE time and had quite an adventure. I went around my first corner and the driver's door flew open and when I returned home the horn stuck in our driveway. My youngest brother drove VW bugs for many years. He had a 69 he was working on when he passed away from cancer, it is parked in my niece's, his daughter's, garage. I hope to some day have a chance to drive it. My older brother has a baby blue bug, (70's version, I believe) in his garage, it has its own idiosyncrasies. Thank you again for posting this video and bringing a smile to my heart (it reminded me of my brothers). God Bless. Karen
That brought back memories. My first "off road vehicle" was a '69 VW Beetle. It was lifted to take 215/75 -15 front and 235/75 15 rear BFG MT's on stock wheels. I had an IRS bus transaxle in it, Porsche 935 CV's, torsional drive shafts, and 2.3 liters and 120 hp worth of flat four breathing through a little two-barrel Weber. Aside from engine displacement, the set-up was like a SCORE Class 11 car. It served me well when quail hunting on Southern California's Jawbone Canyon BLM Management Area, or hunting chukar on BLM land at Opal Mountain. The toughest trail I routinely took it on was one that led to campsites along the south fork of the Kern River at Monache Meadow.. If there was some kind of way to get another lower, like a "granny gear" below first, I might not have ever gone four-wheel drive. The biggest issue I had with the thing was having to go "fast" on trails where I'd be in low range in Jeep. There were some trails I couldn't run; they were just beyond the scope of what the Bug could reasonably do. But looking back, that didn't really cramp my style a whole lot. That Bug was a great first car and off-pavement, it probably did more than the typical Jeep Wrangler Unlimited taking up space in an AYSO soccer field parking lot ever will, given that the majority of original buyers have no planned use for the low range four-wheel drive those vehicles have. I wanted to go camping and bird hunting and fly fishing and back in 1981, a VW Bug was about the only "soft roader" out there and something cheap enough for a high school kid to afford to buy and build up. I don't think that's the case, anymore. Air-cooled VWs aren't the budget-friendly items they used to be back in the day.
@@WanderlostOverland I agree. "Affordable" and "car" now fit in the same sentence in today's America as the Spanish equivalents did in Cuba during Castro's reign.
What a great adventure! I do enjoy that route, and Copper Harbor is a gorgeous area. Maybe a good fall drive up that way is in order. 🤔 Sorry the bug broke, but glad everyone got home safe. Can't wait for the next video!
Great video. I remember when adventures were actually adventures like this one. Not being sure you will make it back in what you left in is part of the fun.
I love the wanderbug. It would be great to see you take it someplace sandy like the desert southwest where it could really be in its element. Do some dune running. Cheers.
So, when are you changing that drone exhaust for something civilized? I did on my second Baja bug. What a relief. As for driving in the rain, seal up the distributor cap with outdoor silicone under the lip of the cap where it clamps to the distributor and inside of the spark plug wires before sliding the boots on. They used to sell a weather proof aluminum air cleaner that kept rain out of the carb. I fashioned a strip of metal to hang over the alternator sort of like an umbrella for it. I drove through the worst down pours with rooster tails from the rear tires! Never had problems.
Wonderful episode, definitely made memories with a lovely companion and a unique vehicle. Yes it broke down so what . Back in 85 ‘ we took our 66 ‘ El Camino camping and the crank broke. Trailer and truck rental got us home. We will never forget that trip . Next week we’re leaving for Utah in our 77’ 40 Series Land Cruiser . It’s the journey not the destination. Cheers.
Can you link or add a map to the trail? Y’all seem to work well together-makes it seem like a fun trip despite the challenges involved. The bug looks great-hope y’all are happy with it overall-you have done a great job working on it. It’s amazing how great random strangers can be!
@@Kentucky4runner thanks, we’ve been working together a long time. We were definitely very lucky meeting Justin when we did. I don’t know if Mark has a virtual route, but a lot of it was the 7 hour plane crash trail (just be sure to use the motor vehicle usage maps when driving through National Forest/ forest service roads).
Nice shots. but I would suggest the front looking camera a little lower to cover a bigger view through the windshield. It's a good thing that the "naked" engine made it so well, although I think that you must protect at least the alternator form water
The air-cooled VW Beetle was FAR REMOVED from being made "perfectly." I enjoyed mine, but as fond as I am of the things, they're not without engineering flaws and serious shortcomings.
I smiled through this whole video. We had an old bug back during the gas crisis in the late 70's. My husband purchased it to drive back and forth to work. I only drove it ONE time and had quite an adventure. I went around my first corner and the driver's door flew open and when I returned home the horn stuck in our driveway. My youngest brother drove VW bugs for many years. He had a 69 he was working on when he passed away from cancer, it is parked in my niece's, his daughter's, garage. I hope to some day have a chance to drive it. My older brother has a baby blue bug, (70's version, I believe) in his garage, it has its own idiosyncrasies. Thank you again for posting this video and bringing a smile to my heart (it reminded me of my brothers). God Bless. Karen
I just realized you are a fellow Illinois. If you drive I-57 and see the happy face water tower, that is my home town.
@@karenhanten7751 awww Karen, love that story! Thanks for sharing. Hope you get to drive your brother’s bug soon. -Merri
Great video. Love the creativity of overlanding in a Bug.
That brought back memories. My first "off road vehicle" was a '69 VW Beetle. It was lifted to take 215/75 -15 front and 235/75 15 rear BFG MT's on stock wheels. I had an IRS bus transaxle in it, Porsche 935 CV's, torsional drive shafts, and 2.3 liters and 120 hp worth of flat four breathing through a little two-barrel Weber. Aside from engine displacement, the set-up was like a SCORE Class 11 car.
It served me well when quail hunting on Southern California's Jawbone Canyon BLM Management Area, or hunting chukar on BLM land at Opal Mountain. The toughest trail I routinely took it on was one that led to campsites along the south fork of the Kern River at Monache Meadow.. If there was some kind of way to get another lower, like a "granny gear" below first, I might not have ever gone four-wheel drive. The biggest issue I had with the thing was having to go "fast" on trails where I'd be in low range in Jeep. There were some trails I couldn't run; they were just beyond the scope of what the Bug could reasonably do. But looking back, that didn't really cramp my style a whole lot.
That Bug was a great first car and off-pavement, it probably did more than the typical Jeep Wrangler Unlimited taking up space in an AYSO soccer field parking lot ever will, given that the majority of original buyers have no planned use for the low range four-wheel drive those vehicles have.
I wanted to go camping and bird hunting and fly fishing and back in 1981, a VW Bug was about the only "soft roader" out there and something cheap enough for a high school kid to afford to buy and build up.
I don't think that's the case, anymore. Air-cooled VWs aren't the budget-friendly items they used to be back in the day.
@@jerroldshelton9367 I know right? Affordable cars don’t really exist anymore.
@@WanderlostOverland I agree. "Affordable" and "car" now fit in the same sentence in today's America as the Spanish equivalents did in Cuba during Castro's reign.
I'm hoping there's a coming trend where people put those 60s, 70s, and 80s era cars back on the trail for some overlanding.
What an adventure! Thanks for the video.
@@CPT891 thanks for watching!
What a great adventure!
I do enjoy that route, and Copper Harbor is a gorgeous area. Maybe a good fall drive up that way is in order. 🤔
Sorry the bug broke, but glad everyone got home safe.
Can't wait for the next video!
Great video. I remember when adventures were actually adventures like this one. Not being sure you will make it back in what you left in is part of the fun.
@@alanmohn4146 so true
I love the wanderbug. It would be great to see you take it someplace sandy like the desert southwest where it could really be in its element. Do some dune running. Cheers.
@@tfcooks we thought about taking g it to the sand dunes in Michigan, but hate cleaning out sand. 😁 Maybe next year.
So, when are you changing that drone exhaust for something civilized? I did on my second Baja bug. What a relief.
As for driving in the rain, seal up the distributor cap with outdoor silicone under the lip of the cap where it clamps to the distributor and inside of the spark plug wires before sliding the boots on. They used to sell a weather proof aluminum air cleaner that kept rain out of the carb. I fashioned a strip of metal to hang over the alternator sort of like an umbrella for it. I drove through the worst down pours with rooster tails from the rear tires! Never had problems.
@@2-old-Forthischet thanks for the advice :)
Wonderful episode, definitely made memories with a lovely companion and a unique vehicle. Yes it broke down so what . Back in 85 ‘ we took our 66 ‘ El Camino camping and the crank broke. Trailer and truck rental got us home. We will never forget that trip . Next week we’re leaving for Utah in our 77’ 40 Series Land Cruiser . It’s the journey not the destination. Cheers.
@@johndiaz7240 El Camino? That’s awesome. Safe travels!
Love the trip, I did from Crandon up last year.
Been there, done that. Sucks but it'll make a good story to look back on.
@@horrse true!
That trip should have been reserved for the FJ Cruiser!
@@paulhobbs227 😆
What an adventure! Congrats!
@@RichardGomide-i8b thanks Richard!
On the exhaust leaking thru thecchannels, you may get some insulating spray foam and fill the rail holes in the back where they
Were cut off.
@@DF4Trap He did when we got home
It might not have broken if y’all had one of those $200 Overland-specific shovels!
@@Atlanta_Cyclist you have been watching. 😁
@@WanderlostOverland I have and for the record, I absolutely love my Crazy Beaver shovel!
@@Atlanta_Cyclist 😄 we all have our favorite things
Ok. That’s funny
Can you link or add a map to the trail? Y’all seem to work well together-makes it seem like a fun trip despite the challenges involved. The bug looks great-hope y’all are happy with it overall-you have done a great job working on it. It’s amazing how great random strangers can be!
@@Kentucky4runner thanks, we’ve been working together a long time. We were definitely very lucky meeting Justin when we did. I don’t know if Mark has a virtual route, but a lot of it was the 7 hour plane crash trail (just be sure to use the motor vehicle usage maps when driving through National Forest/ forest service roads).
Nice shots. but I would suggest the front looking camera a little lower to cover a bigger view through the windshield. It's a good thing that the "naked" engine made it so well, although I think that you must protect at least the alternator form water
great video , i run a diesel heater mounted under bonnet connect to the window ducts works great for heat and demisting the screen 👍
@@vw_beachbuggybrookster we’ve been thinking about it. We have one for heat in the cooler weather.
Love the video! What kind of suspension do you have on there?
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Apply rainx to windows windshield inside and out for a temp fix
@@SigmaWolfOutdoors thanks, we’ll have to try it.
@@WanderlostOverland it will at least bead up ..not fog up ... ol...vw heaters never really worked without the co2 fumes ...
Your clutch fork is broken😢
The "ear" on the throw-out bearing snapped off. Unusual
Only cars Germans could make perfectly; forget about all the mobile gadgets they make today.
The air-cooled VW Beetle was FAR REMOVED from being made "perfectly." I enjoyed mine, but as fond as I am of the things, they're not without engineering flaws and serious shortcomings.